Life Lately
I was not planning on taking a hiatus from the podcast and blog, but life has been so full the last couple of months which meant something had to be put on hold. So what has been keeping me so busy? I’m glad you asked!
After returning from my trip to South Carolina to speak at the Heartstrings Retreat, I unexpectedly found a house! I kept telling myself that I was content in my apartment, and I really thought I was – until I saw the listing for this house. It was in my price range and in the neighborhood I had been eyeing since moving here to Hattiesburg in 2019. I know now this was a gift. Immediately after signing the lease on the house, issues with the apartment began popping up confirming that I had made the right choice. Don’t you just love it when God confirms things for you? I didn’t realize how much I wanted a house until I moved in. I am so happy here!
The timing of the move was not ideal, though. As so often happens, the best things for us are often at the most inconvenient times. My move happened around Easter – an even busier time of year for church musicians than Christmas! Add to that the busyness that comes with the spring semester and end of the year recitals and graduations, and I was dragging myself through the next few weeks. I have now been in my house for about 6 weeks, and it is really starting to feel like home. I love it! I have a front porch that I’ve decorated with plants and rocking chairs and a backyard for my grandson to play in. I have more than twice as much room as I did in my apartment, which means that I get to play interior designer, and I am embracing this domestic side of myself with joy!
In addition to moving and wrapping up the year, I also wrapped up my church job on the coast. My friend I was filling in for had her baby and has been able to return to her position. Just a few weeks before I was set to finish up as interim pianist there, a position at a church in Laurel opened and I applied for it. It is full-time (not interim), and I am thrilled to be there. I have really enjoyed getting to know the people there and becoming part of their community.
Carey Music Academy also finished out our first year with a beautiful spring recital. Almost all our students performed, and we enjoyed a lovely evening of music together followed by bubbles, glow sticks, and cupcakes outside the chapel afterwards. It was heart-warming to stand back and watch the community we have built at CMA. This is a dream come true, and I am excited for our future!
Life is good, and I am happy to be back in a place that I can resume sharing thoughts with you all through the podcast and this blog. During my time away, I contemplated the direction I want these outlets to go. I posted some videos on my social media pages asking for input, and the resounding response was that you want more piano pedagogy-related content, so that is what we are going to do! You can look for that to begin next week – possibly along with a new name! (Check out my Instagram stories for a poll!)
Thanks for following along and being part of my online community! If you have specific requests for content, you can message me at www.christinamathis.com/contact or find me on Instagram at @thepolishedpianist.
Until next time...
Christina
